Cost estimate tech safety for survivors choose-your-own-pace-day

A cost guesstimate for running the Tech safety for survivors choose-your-own-pace-day. This is designed for up to 20 participants at a shelter or community venue, with both a low-budget version (DIY/volunteer-powered) and a realistic full-cost version that respects people’s time and pays facilitators fairly.

Summary table

ItemLow-budget (€)Full-cost (€)
Venue (if not in-shelter)0 (shelter-provided)150–300
Facilitators (2–3 people)0 (volunteers)600–900
Tech kit (Pirogue + demo phones)200400–600
Food & drinks (20 people)100250
Printing (zines, signage, handouts)50100
Giveaways (USBs, stickers, badges)60120
Creative supplies (journaling/art)3060
Travel/transport0–50100
Contingency (10%)~45~250
Total estimate€485–540€1,880–2,680

Detailed breakdown

Facilitators & support staff

  • Low-budget: All-volunteer crew (shelter staff, tech-savvy friends)
  • Full-cost: Pay 2–3 people for prep, delivery, decompression (€300 per day each)

Venue

  • Free if run in a shelter, community centre, or donated space
  • Otherwise: €150–€300 for a quiet, private venue with basic furniture

Tech setup

  • 1–2 demo phones (€100–200 used or loaned)
  • 1 Pirogue station (Raspberry Pi, cables, USBs): ~€100–150 to build
  • USB sticks: ~€2 each, bulk for 20 = €40

Food & drink

  • DIY: €100 for tea, snacks, sandwiches (Lidl + love)
  • Catered: €10–12 per person for warm meal, drinks, treats

Printed materials

  • Zines and signage: €0.15–0.25 per A4 page, ~200 pages = €50
  • Posters for zones, handouts, “What to Expect”, checklists

Swag and takeaways

  • Stickers: ~€0.30 each (custom = more)
  • Button badges or printed ones: €1–2 each
  • USBs for handouts, tools, guides: ~€2–3 each
  • Budget €5 per participant

Creative/journaling

  • Notebooks, pens, washi tape, art supplies: €30–60
  • Optional extras: thermal printer for digital notes (€40–€80 one-time)

Transport & setup

  • Free if local and minimal kit
  • Add €50–€100 for petrol, parking, or transport if mobile team travels

Contingency

  • For weird surprises: €40–250 depending on budget level

Possible cost savers

  • Max impact, minimal budget: This workshop works well even with DIY, volunteers, and second-hand tech—the atmosphere and approach matter more than the gear.
  • If you plan to run more than one, the startup costs (e.g., tech kit, signage) drop significantly per workshop.
  • A donated venue and local food sponsors (e.g., bakery, co-op) can cut some costs.